Of Average Height

If anyone knows what women want, it’s Gilt, who provides us with sales on our favorite designers.  Using their knowledge of what we love, they did a big study on the average height of heels bought by shoe devotees in each state and Puerto Rico. 

It’s Puerto Rico, actually, that comes in highest with an average heel height of 2.87 inches.  Florida and Nevada closely follow (I’m thinking Miami and Vegas?).  The state with the shortest average heel is Kansas (1.97 inches), followed by Nebraska and Maine.  Our beloved Pennsylvania clocks in on the low side, at just a smidge over two inches.  (See more about the results here.)  So sensible Pennsylvania girls, here’s a slew of two-inch heels just for you!

The Piri by Adrienne Vittadani is a gorgeous red patent leather peep toe pump with a 2.25-inch kitten heel.  And look at the many-tiered bow on the toe!  There’s just so much to love about this.  Also available in black and navy, but the red really shines.  Yours for $60 from DSW.

This classic boot is the Phaedra by Rockport.  The upper is full grain leather, with some elastic at the back for extra stretch.  A silver buckle around the back completes the look, along with the two-inch block heel.  Also available in a really lovely brown; your choice for $80 from 6pm.

I love a purple shoe, and the Crystah by Nina delivers!  (Though it also comes in apple green, yellow, black, ivory, navy, silver, and steel if purple is not your thing.)  This D’Orsay peep toe is topped with a lovely rhinestone feature made of round and pear stones, and the 2.25 inch heel put’s it right in Pennsylvania’s range.  Find them at Macy’s for $89.

Oh my goodness, how fun is the Chrissy by J. Renee?  The sparkly golden vamp is topped with a three-tiered bow, and the 2.25-inch wedge is wrapped in gleaming golden faux leather.  It’s so perfect for all the upcoming holiday parties I can’t even stand it.  And it also comes in taupe glitter, silver glitter, navy glitter, multi glitter with a pink wedge, beige patent, and black patent, so no matter what you’re planning to wear to your parties this year there’s one to match.  Your choice for $99 from Zappos.

So, two inches, Pennsylvania?  Here ya go!  Enjoy!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: All booties 25% off

Bloomingdales: 20% off with code HOLIDAY

Lord & Taylor: 20% of with savings pass or code SALE

Macy's: 15% off with code GIFT

Payless: All boots on sale

In Case of Emergency

It’s happened to all of us.  We’re going out for a night, wear our prettiest heels, and then… it’s too much.  Our feet are killing us.  And of course we didn’t bring heels, even though we could’ve thrown a roll-up pair in our purse… but no.  What now?  Do we go barefoot?

Good news, if you happen to be in Las Vegas, or the Atlanta airport, or a few other places around the country: shoe vending machines are here!  Currently two companies make shoe vending machines: Rollasole and Flat Out.  And let me tell you, their shoes all roll up very tightly!  You pick your size and your color, pay $20 or so by debit or credit card, and voilà: your feet are saved!

Okay, so the vending machines are not available in our area yet.  (Though they are looking for franchisees, essentially!  That could be a fun opportunity.)  However, the shoes are available!  Take a look at some of these options, and you’ll know what to look for when the machines hit Philly.

First: both companies have your average metallic round toe option.  Snore.  So let’s take a look at a few of the more interesting pairs.  With Flat Out, stick with the prints:

I love me a pair of zebra flats, and the Akilah delivers!  These cost $20.

Ooh, I like the print on the Chrissy!  It’s 70s fun without being 70s ugly.  (Seriously, how could one decade hold so much ugly?)  These come in a bit cheaper at $15.

Okay, now Rollasole!  They have considerably more options that Flat Out, but they’re also pricier.

The Dotty for You is so adorable with its cheery dots.  And bow.  And I know it’s kind of hard to see from this angle, but it’s a peep toe!  Win.  How cute would these just be under jeans?  They run about $27.

It should mean something to those of you who know me that I WANT THESE FLATS SO BADLY.  I can’t recall ever saying that about flats.  The Tartan Toes are just perfect, though, with their warm plaid, black bow, and almond toe.  They also cost $27.

Rollasole also has options in sequins, or studs, or tie dye.

So if you can’t wait for a machine to appear, you can get a pair now and have them handy.  Or you can wait and take your chances…

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: 20% off all boots
Bakers: Two pairs of boots for $150
Bus Stop Boutique: Fashion Incubator Spotlight tomorrow from 11-6!  Shop the fashion AND meet the designers!
Call it Spring: $10 off lace-up boots, $20 off ankle boots
Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular and sale with savings pass or code CDAY
Macy's: 20% off one pair, 25% off two pairs, and 30% off three or more pairs with code GREAT
Nine West: Buy one, get one half off
Payless: Up to 40% off comfort shoes

Show Us Your Shoes!

I am a firm believer that shoes deserve their own parade, just for being awesome.   Most people probably don’t agree with me.  Fortunately, the people at Miss America do!  Tomorrow is their annual Shoe Parade, where all 53 contestants will show off shoes representing something about their state.  In cars, on floats, amid high school bands, the contestants and their shoes will go down the Atlantic City boardwalk in what is probably the most sparkly parade on earth.

(And hey, tickets are still available!  If you were planning to go down the shore this weekend, maybe you want to stop by.  Get your tickets at the Boardwalk Hall ticket box.)

Here’s a preview of the shoes you’ll see:

Miss DC does an homage to her district’s annual cherry blossom festival on these blue peep toes.  Plenty of rhinestones on the heels and platforms!

Our neighbor to the south, Miss Delaware, went for serious bling with these platform Mary Janes.  The stones are not only all over the toe, but they’re springing from wires off the back too!

Our other neighbor to the south, Miss Maryland, has sort of an elegant fishing net motif going on here, complete with one of her state’s famous crabs.

Miss Maine went practical with this pair of bedazzled rain boots.  Love the cheery yellow!

Miss Louisiana is NOT messing around with these Mardi Gras-inspired peep toes.  Coins.  Masks.  Feathers.  Sparkles.  LOVE!

And our own Miss Pennsylvania, Amanda Smith?

Moo!  Miss PA pays tribute to our state’s many dairy farms.  Did you know dairy is our state’s number one agricultural business?  And that we’re fourth in production in the US?  Miss PA did!  She’s so nice and so smart and so sensitive… she’s definitely gonna win.

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: 20% select career styles

Bakers: 25% off all sandals

Bloomingdales: $25 off $100-$250; $50 off $250-$500; $100 off $500-$1000; $250 off $1000 or more

Lord & Taylor: 20% off all regular, sale, and clearance items with savings pass or code STYLE

Macy's: Extra 15% off with code FAVES

Payless: Buy one get one half off

Shoes in the News: Shoe Parade

Everyone keep calm.  What I’m about to say may surprise you.

THERE IS A SHOE PARADE ON TV TONIGHT.

A shoe parade!  It’s part of the Miss America pageant, which airs this Sunday night.  And while I have mixed feelings about pageants (does a women really need to be in a bathing suit to prove she’s worthy of a scholarship?), I unabashedly love shoes.  And so do the people at Miss America, apparently, since the “Show Us Your Shoes” parade has been around for decades.  Each contestant decorates a pair of shoes to evoke her home state, and then they parade down the Atlantic City boardwalk.  Them, and four thousand marchers, fifteen floats, and fifteen marching bands.  This is hardcore, people.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the shoes you’ll see!  First up: Florida.

Gators, of course!  Rhinestoney gators!

Miss Alabama went sports-themed too, with an homage to the University of Alabama:

Maine is just gorgeous:

Can I just say how much I love that lobster?  I LOVE that lobster.  Can I please have him?  Miss Maine?

Our neighbor to the north, New York, went city-style:

And Pennsylvania? 

Because AMERICA.  But really, I’m sort of tickled with this nod to Betsy Ross because it makes us seem like the most American of all the states.  Which we totally are.  Take that everyone else.

So whatever you feelings on pageants, just sit back and enjoy the shoes!  (If all the rhinestones don’t blind you when the sun sets, that is.)

The parade is tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Buy tickets and hurry over there, or watch it live on WPHL 17!  There’s an encore showing Sunday at 4:00 PM on WPVI Channel 6.  Good luck Miss Pennsylvania!

Also, congratulations to Deputy Shoe Fairy Rosie, who with this tip becomes the second Lieutenant Shoe Fairy!  Congratulations Rosie!

Sales this weekend:
Bloomingdales: $25 off $100-$249; $50 off $250-$499; $100 off $500-$999; $250 off $1000 or more
Bus Stop Boutique: Save the date!  Street Art + Fashion event all down 4th Street next Thursday from 6-9 PM.
Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular, sale, and clearance with code FALL or savings pass
Macy's: Extra 15% off shoes with code CHOICE
Payless: Buy one, get one half off

Bubblicious!

So in one of my various perusals across Etsy, I found these amazing things:

They’re like sunshine and puppies and lollipops and rainbows… this shoe is covered in POM POMS!  Aaaah!

Ahem.

But seriously, I’ve never seen anything like Bubble Shoes before, and there is something so totally fun about wearing pom poms on your feet.  Kudos to designer Karolina Skutel for her genius idea!  I want to wear this particular pair to every summer party.  In fact, this pair is perfectly titled Bubble Sunshine.  The shoe underneath (this and all the others) is an Italian leather peep-toe pump with a 4.7-inch heel and a three-quarter-inch platform, and they’re available for $303.75 (like every pair on the site—keeps it simple!).

Wanna see some others?  Of course you do!

The Bubble Gems is in beautiful shades of purple, green, blue, white, and gray—it sort of reminds me of a garden, with paths of gray and white stones.

Speaking of gardens, the Bubble Ivies has twisting green pom pom vines up the heel and across the shoe, ending with a flower made of two red pom poms and a big purple pom pom over the peep toe.  So cute!

I heart black and white shoes, and the name of this one: the Bubble Chess.  Apt, based on the pattern on the heel, yes?  Plus there are three white pom poms across the peep toe on an otherwise all black shoe.

And, of course, to finish:

Bubble Rainbow!  Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, black!  This is the epitome of fun.  And if you’re worried about how these might look with an outfit, rest assured, they look AWESOME:

Check out Bubble Shoes on Etsy or at her website Hello Bubble!

EXTRA BONUS: Shoes in the News!

You may have heard a little something about a state senator from Texas who on Tuesday night mounted a for-the-history-books, thirteen-hour filibuster in an attempt to take down a bill that would curtail women's reproductive rights in the state.  She did it in a pair of these beauties:

The Wave Runner 16 by Mizuno is sort of fierce looking, isn't it?  It's a lightweight shoe for a neutral runner, and has some fancy technology inside to help cushion your feet.  Helpful if you'll be standing for an extended period of time!  And apparently Davis is a marathoner, so they're probably also good for, you know, running.  Available in six other color choices as well, but the rouge red/apple green combo is where it's at this week.  Yours for $115 from Amazon (and while you're there, I recommend you read the reviews!).

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: 10% off sandals
Call it Spring: 30% off all sale
Lord & Taylor: 30% off one pair of sandals, 35% off two, and 40% off three or more
Macy's: 15% off and free shipping over $99 with promo code HOT
Nine West: Free shipping (no minimum)
Payless: Buy one item, get the second half off
Saks: Designer sale-- up to 45% off

Shoes in the News: The Pope Retires

Yesterday was Pope Benedict XVI’s last day as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.  He’ll most likely be remembered for being the first pope in, oh, six hundred years to step down from the pontificate instead of leaving it via death, but I personally will remember him for his shoes!

Come on, those are kind of rockin’ shoes for a pope, and you know how I love a bright pop of color with a simple outfit.  But, like most things in the church, there is a liturgical reason for them:  “The tradition of the red papal shoe goes back the time of ancient Rome, when they could only be worn by the Emperor, the Empress and the Pope. John Paul II gave up on them but Benedict XVI brought them back. According to his private secretary Monsignor Ganswein the Pope wears Red because it's the color of martyrdom.”  (From no less a source than GQ.  When was the last time a pope was in GQ?  He was even named Esquire’s Accessorizer of the Year in 2007!  What is this?!) 

Ahem.

When he first took the post, a rumor went around that the infamous red shoes were made by Prada.  That’s not true (unfortunately).  But in the spirit of the pope’s last day, here’s a pair of red Prada loafers for you!

The Smoking Loafer by Prada is just that: a slip-on loafer made of red leather, with a round toe and Prada logo in gold at the tongue.  Also available in blue, nude, and black (the latter trimmed in white around the foot opening—nice!), but really, they can’t hold a candle to the red.  Find them at Nordstrom for $490.

Now that he’s Pope Emeritus, Benedict will be leaving the red shoes behind and entering retirement in “a pair of hand-crafted brown loafers made for him by artisans in Leon, Mexico, and given to him during his 2012 visit.” 

It’s only fair I give you a pair of those, too!

Classy.  The Fuller by Naturalizer is a faux croc loafer in a chocolate brown, with a tapered squared toe and a 1.5-inch heel.  (Though I believe these are made in China, and not Mexico.)  Also available in brown Fellini leather, black Fellini leather, and black croc; take your pick from Shoebuy for $71.

Stay tuned to see what footwear the new pope will pick!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Save 40% on all full-price items, plus an extra 20% off sale items

Lord & Taylor: Save 25% on regular and sale shoes

Macy’s: Save 10% and free shipping on orders over $99, plus save 20-30% on select styles

Nine West: End of season sale: up to 70% off, plus free shipping on any purchase

Nordstrom: Shoe clearance: save 33% or more

Steve Madden: Free shipping on orders over $75 with code SMFREESHIP

Shoes in the News: Shoes Worth Hiding

You must’ve seen it in the news this week: Bryn Mawr’s resident shoe queen Beth Shak is being taken to court by her ex-husband, who claims she hid a million dollars’ worth of shoes from her list of assets when they divorced three years ago.  Read that again: a MILLION DOLLARS’ worth of shoes!  This made not only national news, but international.  Here’s an article from Australia.  Here’s one from Pakistan!

In her honor, I give you a selection of outrageously expensive shoes that would surely have Mr. Shak’s lawyers hunting you down.

The Marlene by Jimmy Choo is just effusively fun—purple suede, a six-inch heel with 1.5-inch platform, straps covered in teal goose feathers, and feathers dotted with tiny rhinestones.  Fun fun fun!!  These beauties can be found on Net-a-Porter for $1995.

The Wave Strappy Wedge Sandal by Alexander McQueen is so smooth: a shapely metallic ombre wedge (5.5 inches!), and undulating straps from your toes to your ankle.  My favorite line in the description?  “For the Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection, Sarah Burton drew inspiration from the architecture of Gaudi and diverse oceanic life.”  Must account for the $4630 price tag!  Still can’t resist?  They’re yours from Neiman Marcus.

If Cinderella got her shoes from a jewelry store instead of a fairy godmother!  The Dallifac by Manolo Blahnik have four-inch heels, leather everything, and straps covered in dazzling emerald-cut crystals.  Find them at Nordstrom for $1195.

Beth’s particular favorites?  Louboutins—700 of her pairs!

The Pluminette by Christian Louboutin is part of their 20^th Anniversary Capsule Collection, which features “a capsule collection compiled of favorite pieces from decades past.”  I’m not sure exactly which decade this is supposed to be from, but it’s pompom-tastic!  Crepe satin, ankle strap, 4.5-inch heel with half-inch platform, feather explosions (and red sole, of course)... this is a party shoe for sure.  Find them at Saks for $2450.

I sure hope the former Mrs. Shak wears a pair like these to her court date.  Awesome!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: 15% off any purchase

Bakers: Buy one, get one half off—anything!

Bare Feet Shoes: Buy one, get one half off between now and the 4^th using code JULY4BOGO

Bus Stop Boutique: 20% off summer sandals and shoes until July 3

Lord & Taylor: 20% off with code JULY4 or savings pass

Macy’s: 10% off and free shipping with code FOURTH

Old Navy: $1 flip flop sale tomorrow only!

Payless: Buy one, get one half off